Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1887-01-11
coNGRRGArIoNAL CLUB.

Its Meeting Last Evening at Center
2 church Chape1-ssAmerlcam Influence
I'm the Eases al Defined by Prof. Van
MiIligen of Roberts College, Constan-
Z tfnople-Amer1cass Strength Abroad
Lies In Hts Moral Force.
The Congregational club, which Is COM
posed of the clergymen and laymen of New
Haven and its vicinity, held its regular meet
ing last night at the Center church chapel.
The meeting began at 7:30 O'Clock. 1t was
meeting of special Importance and interest,
insomuch as Prof. Alex. Van Millingen of
Roberts college, Constantinople, was to
speak on american influence abroad, and
particularly in the East" Prof. Van Mil
lingen is tall man and of pleasing counter
ance and is endowed with splendid laxative
powers and has hearty greeting for every
body he meets. The topic that he took for
discussion was one of broad range The pro-
lessor was entirely equal to the occasion. He
gave a thoroughly graphical treatment of the
subject, which did not fail to satisfy even
the most exacting of critics in his highly in
telligent audience. During the talk he said:
ftI attended the Inauguration of the Statue
of Liberty Enlightening the World with
peculiar interest as the expression of a fact,
while many circumstances have led me to APP
preciate its special force. 1t was unique
occasion Then one nation paid homage,
not to the brute power, but to the moral
worth of the other. This is what makes the
subject of American influence SO grand a
theme 1t is the influence, not of the sword,
but of ideas, of truths. It is the force of ex-
ample, of character.
'sThe ideas which under1ie American in
Ruence, it is true, are not American in their
origin. But the American insGitu-
tions have made the ideas of Epgland's
Puritan age colossal. As the grains
of wheat imported from the old
world here yield harvests that can feed the
| hungry of all lands, so the principles of free
dom, which the Pilgrim fathers brought
hithsr from their homes in England and
Holland, have expanded and grown into
| thoughts that can nourish the higher life of
all mankind.
sFurtber, America has proved these ideas
safe, winning mems confidence in them as
principles which will certainly secure the
best social results.
esThere are two lines along which Ameri-
can influence is carried across to the nations
of the Old World:
81 The first is formed by the synpathies
and affections subsisting between the immi
grants who land in America and their rela-
| tives aud friends left behind in Europe.
ff2. The second is formed by the pressure of
American commercial competition. The ex-
port of vast quantities of grain, for instance,
| from American farms to England has great
ly disturbed the agricultural interests in that
country. As consequence the question of
land tenure is coming to the front and in
that question the fate of the aristocracy is
involved. Accordingly, the programme of
the Radical party in England calls for re.
forms which will make the institutions of
the mother land more like those of demo
cratic America.
ssIn the East American influence has been
exercised chiefly in connection with missions
to the Oriental churches. There American
influence has restored correct conception
of what vital Christianity means, has pro
NOTED the cause of education, has stimulated
literary activity, has elevated family life,
and by implanting and defending the prin-
ciples of civil and religious liberty has favor
ed the political regeneration of ancient and
apparently effete nationalities.
''The country may well be proud of the
influence it exerts in the world. But let the
secret of that influence be ever recognized.
It is moral & its character. Let nothing
tempt the people of this land to descend
from their moral elevation to compete with
other nations respecting the magnitude of
armies and the size of fleets. There is moth
ing of which Americans should be prouder
than the fact that what they are in virtue of
their ideas makes them the strongest nation
in modern history. There is nothing Of
which Americans should boast more
than the fact that they surpass
other nations in fidelity to the
highest principles of social life.
''It is enough to satisfy American ambi-
ton to know that the triumph of their infiu-
ence means the triumph of justice and free
dom, of knowledge, virtue and faith"
The above gives but faint idea of the
special worth and interest of his talk. He
was followed by the Rev. Edmund NJ. Wit
tum of Guilford. Mr.. Vittum has been to
Europe. He gave a very interesting talk.
A general discussion followed, after which a
collation. was served. All went to their
homes thoroughly satisfied that the evening
could nowhere have been more proftably
spent.